International Journal of Humanities and Social Science
Vol. 4, No. 7(1); May 2014
Farmers’ Cooperatives and Agricultural Development in Kwali Area Council
Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria
Yamusa Innocent
Adefila, J. O.
Department of Geography
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria
Abstract
Cooperatives as self-help organization have been contributing significantly to economic growth and development
in terms of empowering poor people and creates enabling environment to participate actively in economic
process in the areas of providing job opportunities, increasing accessibility to credit facilities and providing
social protection. The study aimed at evaluating the influence of farmers’ cooperatives on agricultural
development, the socio-economic traits, perception of the members and the constraints to cooperation in Kwali
area council, FCT Abuja, Nigeria. Primary data were generated through the administration of structured
questionnaire among 270 respondents using purposive sampling technique. Focus group discussion (FGD) was
also employed to augment the research instrument. Secondary data were generated from official gazettes,
research reports, journals, books and documented materials. Descriptive statistics such as averages, frequency,
mean and percentages were used to summarize the data. In addition, Chi square (Z²) statistics was used to
measure the effects of cooperatives on agricultural development. The result showed p-values for level of
education (0.013), co-operative experience (0.021) and family size (0.018) having some significant difference with
agricultural development at 0.05 alpha level. On the basis of the findings, one recommends among other things,
there should be adequate provision for basic infrastructural facilities such as all-weather roads, electricity and
water in the rural areas. Also, government should support farmers’ co-operatives with regulatory and
administrative framework to ensure satisfactory service delivery to the society. The study concludes that, though
farmers’ co-operatives have the potential to make maximum contribution to agricultural development, there is
need to organize for them training and re-training programmes through workshops, seminars and conferences so
as to enhance capacity building and acquisition of necessary managerial skills.
Keywords: Cooperatives Farmers Role Agriculture Development
1. Introduction
Despite the significance of the agricultural sector, its performance over some decades has been rather
disappointing in view of its low productivity. However, if the country has to feed, reduce abject poverty and attain
a satisfactory level of sustainable economic growth, the poor performance in the agricultural sector should be
addressed. Agriculture remains the main stay of the rural economy in Nigeria as it provides employment for about
70% of the work force. However, less than 50% of the country’s cultivable agricultural land is under cultivation
because small-holders’ farmers often use rudimentary production techniques to cultivate most of the land thereby
resulting in low productivity (Manyong et al, 2005). The small-holder farmers are constrained by many problems
including those of poor access to modern inputs, inadequate credit facilities, poor infrastructure, inadequate access
to markets, environmental degradation, and inadequate agricultural extension services (Venerakumaran, et al,
2005). In an effort to overcome some of these issues, donor agencies and governments have re-emphasized cooperatives as a strategy to promote collective action to strengthen small-holders’ livelihoods by linking them to
national and international markets.
Co-operatives are autonomous associations of persons who unite voluntarily to meet their common economic and
social needs through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise (ICA, 1995).
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Co-operatives are established by like-minded persons to pursue mutually beneficial economic interest and they
provide a unique tool for achieving one or more economic goals in an increasingly competitive global economy.
Adedayo and Yusuf (2004) highlighted some of the goals to include: achieving economy of size, improving
bargaining power when dealing with other business, purchasing in bulk to achieve lower prices and obtaining
products and services otherwise unavailable. Cooperatives are seen as a medium through which services like
provision of farm input, farm implements, farm mechanization, agricultural loans, agricultural extension,
members education, marketing of members farm produce and other economic activities and services are rendered
to members (Akinwumi, 2006; Bhuyam, 2007)). Grounded in theories of social cohesion and social capital,
farmer co-operatives provide small-holder farmers with economies of scale by facilitating cheaper and more
efficient access to inputs, improved production techniques, and information about markets.
Today in an era where many small-holder farmers feel powerless to change their lives, co-operatives can serve as
a strong, vibrant and viable economic alternative. Bibby and Shaw (2005) noted that cooperatives are based on the
powerful idea that togetherness of people can achieve goals that none of them can achieve individually. It has
been considered as a third force, an alternative and countervailing power to both big business and government
(ICA, 1995). Agricultural co-operatives encourage members to engage in joint cultivation of food and cash crops,
purchase farm inputs at subsidized price and create better producers’ price for their farm products (Poulton, et al
2006). In view of the low financial capacity and high level of under-development, an individual farmer cannot
achieve the desires for large-scale production. It is therefore in the farmers’ interest that resources are pulled
together so as to gain a tremendous collective advantage and thus widening the industrial base of the economy
and the management techniques (Epetimehin, 2006). For instance, farmers’ co-operative societies are formed to
bring in more agricultural inputs and product marketing services to members, increase competition in the
agricultural service sector and provide savings and credit to members, among many other functions. Small holder
farmers stand a better chance with the formation of agricultural co-operatives.
International organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Bank and the International Labour
Organization (ILO) are convinced that agricultural cooperatives can play a vital role in achieving sustainable rural
development. ILO (2003) noted that co-operatives are by nature concerned with democratic and human values as
well as caring for the environment. Furthermore co-operatives are catalysts for social organization and cohesion
(Calkins and Ngo, 2005). The cardinal objectives of co-operatives also include contributions to sustainable
development, employment and creating awareness (ILO, 2003). Successive governments in Nigeria recognize cooperative societies as essential for the development of the agricultural sector. This laudable goal was supported by
the establishment of the Agricultural development projects (ADPs), river basin and rural development authority
(RBRDA), Fadama II and III projects that organize farmers under the schemes into co-operative groups for better
co-ordination and accessibility to various agricultural facilities.
Although, the primary objective of forming group farming cooperatives is to increase agricultural outputs, it has
been possible to get them involved in marketing of their produce as well (Zarafshani, et al 2010). Farmers are the
single largest group of users and managers of land, water, and other ecological resources throughout the world.
Most small-holder farmers regardless of gender require services and information obtainable through agricultural
cooperatives. Clegg (2006) highlighted some of the information to include the use of appropriate technology,
innovative ideas, and sound technical advice not only to increase their agricultural productivity and incomes but
also to make rural life meaningful and sustainable. This informs the conduct of a scientific research into farmers’
cooperatives and their influence on agricultural development in Kwali area council, Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), Abuja.
2. Recent Studies in Co-Operatives: An Overview
Small-holder farmers remain the bedrock of agricultural production especially in the developing countries
including Nigeria. Mohamed (2004) remarked that farmers are burdened with high prices of farm inputs,
inefficiency of farming techniques, inadequate production infrastructure, poor market and heavy constraints in
obtaining credits facilities. The ugly situation is further compounded by the general economic downturn and
government drives to remove all subsidies on farm inputs such as chemical fertilizers, and agro-chemicals. Of
recent, the co-operative option comes into focus as a viable way to effectively mobilize farmers to form groups
and pool resources so as to become more effective in agricultural production.
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Vol. 4, No. 7(1); May 2014
In addition to the values and principles of cooperatives, studies have been conducted on wide varieties of issues
relating to the importance of co-operative societies. Veerakumaran (2005) explained that cooperatives serve as
fundamental tool for achieving food security at household level. Co-operatives are the best institutional
intervention for attaining food security in any country. The developed nations like United States of America,
Canada, Australia, almost all European countries and Socialist country like China have attained food selfsufficiency through cooperatives (Chambo, 2009). Gertler (2001), using the probit model explained that cooperative societies are practical vehicles for cooperation, collective action and they build and reinforce
community, stabilize regional economies and provide a favourable climate for further investment. Co-operatives
reduce inequality and promote equitable sharing of the cost and benefits of development. Co-operatives can
promote economic democracy and the empowerment of marginalized groups- a hallmark of sustainable
development and a precondition for shared responsibility.
Adefila (2012) conducted a study on the factors influencing the performance of farmer cooperative organizations
in Gurara area, Niger State of Nigeria. The results from the regression analysis revealed that famers’ cooperative
organizations are variously involved in agricultural development and that factors’ influencing their role
performance include annual income, experience in farming, leadership training and membership size. The study
concluded that cooperatives in whatever form are seriously viewed as catalyst in the process of rural socioeconomic development and the law should empower cooperatives to perform certain functions, such as
strengthening their bargaining power as effective agents of socio-economic rural transformation.
Ojiako and Ogbukwa (2012) examined loan repayment capacity of small – holder cooperative farmers in Yewa
North area of Ogun State, Nigeria using correlation and regression techniques. The study showed that farm credits
played vital roles in the socio-economic transformation of the rural economies. However, loan acquisition and
repayment were characterized by numerous challenges including high levels of default among beneficiaries. The
study concludes that promoting small-holder cooperative farmers’ loan repayment capacity would require
conscious use of policies directed at increasing loan size and farmers’ farm holdings or reducing household size.
Similarly, Ofuoku and Urang (2009) assessed the effect of cohesion of farmer co-operatives societies on loan
repayment among members in Delta State, Nigeria using Spearman’s rank order correlation analysis. The study
observed that there was almost perfect positive relationship between rates of loan repayment perception and
cohesion. Consequently, they recommended that extension agents should take advantage of the effect of cohesion
on loan repayment to promote cohesion in upcoming co-operative societies. In evaluating agricultural credit
utilization by cooperative farmers in Benue State, Nigeria, Okwoche et al (2001) observed a significant difference
between the agricultural output and income of farmers’ before and after the utilization of loan acquired. The t-test
analysis shows that farmers joined the farmer co-operatives societies mainly to access credit. The study
recommended that the farmers should be adequately motivated with needed credit facilities as this will further
enhance agricultural production. However, considering various studies (Veerakumaran, 2005; Gertler, 2001;
Adefila, 2012; Ojiako and Ogbukwa, 2012; Ofuoku and Urang, 2011 and Okwoche, 2001) little attention is drawn
to the farmers’ co-operatives and their influence on agricultural development particularly in Kwali area council,
federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja and this is the gap in knowledge that this present study intends to fill.
3. Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to assess the effects of farmers’ co-operatives on agricultural development in Kwali area
council, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria. However, the specific objectives are to: (i) examine the social
and economic status of farmers’ co-operatives in the area (ii) examine the influence of farmers’ cooperatives on
agricultural development; (iii) assess farmers’ perception of the co-operative organizations.
4. Null Hypothesis
H There is no significant difference between socio-economic traits of farmers’ co-operatives and
agricultural development in the study area.
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5. Methodology
5.1 Data Selection
In line with the stated objectives, the study collected data from the registered co-operatives represented by the
executives and some non-executive members. In this regard, information used on this study include: (i) data on
socio-economic characteristics of the farmers’ co-operatives in the study area; (ii) data on the impact of farmer
co-operatives organization on agricultural development; (iv) data on the constraints of the farmers’ co-operatives
to agricultural development (v) data on the perception of farmers on the co-operatives in the area.
5.2 Sources of Data
The primary sources of data targeted the cooperatives represented by their officials and other non-executive
members. The major research instruments here were questionnaire (written interview), oral interview, focus group
discussion (FGD) and field observation which helped in the gathering of relevant data on farmer cooperatives and
agricultural development. This technique provided valuable information with respect to the problem under
investigation. The secondary data was obtained from related books, journals, published papers, documented
materials, magazines, conference articles, official gazettes, federal office of statistics, and records from related
ministries.
5.3 Sample Size and Sampling Technique
The population for this study comprises members of all the farmers’ co-operative societies in Kwali area council.
It comprises of forty registered farmers’ co-operatives and this constitutes the sample for this study. Two sets of
sample were drawn namely, the executive and non-executive members of the co-operatives. All the co-operatives
are represented by their Chairmen and Secretaries and five other members each was purposively drawn from each
co-operative organization. This gave a sample size of eighty executive members and two hundred non-executive
members who were purposively selected as part of the sample. However, some ten selected respondents were not
available at the time of the interview survey thereby reducing the sample size to two hundred and seventy (270).
Besides, focus group discussion (FGD) was employed to further augment the research instrument.
5.4 Methods of Data Analysis
Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of data. Descriptive statistics is a measure of central
tendency such as the mean, median, mode, standard deviation, frequency and percentages. It helps to summarize
the socio-economic and demographic variables of the respondents into tabular forms. The Chi-square (Z²) was
used to measure the level of significant difference between the farmers’ co-operative traits and agricultural
development.
6. Data Analysis and Discussion
6.1 Socio-Demographic Analysis of Respondents
The respondents were selected from the eight districts in Kwali area council area in accordance with the selection
criteria discussed in chapter three. The following tables summarize the socio-demographic attributes. The study
revealed mean age of 45.3 years and about (41.9%) of the respondents falling above 50 years old indicating that
most of the farmers are still in their productive and active capacity. There is dominance of men in agriculture in
the study area as (66.7%) were men. The marital status of the respondents revealed that (69.3%) of them were
married hence had family responsibility.
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Vol. 4, No. 7(1); May 2014
Table 1: Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents (N= 270)
Variable
Age-group:1 – 30
31-39
40-49
50-59
Above 60
Gender:Male
Female
Marital status:Single
Married
Divorced
Widowed
Level of education:No formal education
Adult education
Primary education
Secondary education
Tertiary education
Frequency
%
34
56
67
54
59
12.6
20.7
24.8
20.0
21.9
180
90
66.7
33.3
34
187
31
18
12.6
69.3
11.5
6.7
91
48
69
37
25
33.7
17.8
25.0
13.7
9.3
Source: Authors
The literacy level of farmers is appreciably high considering the sum of adult, primary, secondary and tertiary
education, however, only (23.0%) of respondents had secondary education and above. Educational level plays a
good role in adoption of new and innovative production methods and undertaking risks. The years of farming
experience were investigated and it revealed that (60.0% of respondents have been farming for about 10 years
while only (3.7%) of the farmers’ have spent between 31-40 years. Indeed, experience goes along with skill
acquisition, which is fundamental to efficiency and effectiveness in any job operation (Banaszak and Bechmann,
2006). The result showed that most cooperative society members have acquired reasonable years of experience in
farming which have spread effects on agricultural development.
Table 2: Farming Experience, Membership Duration, Farm size and Income
Variable
Farming Experience (Yrs):1-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
Duration of Membership:Less than 5
5-9
10-14
15-19
Farm size (hectares):Less than 2.5
2.5-5.0
Above 5
Income (#):Less than 50,000
50001-80000
80001-110000
110001-140000
Above 140000
Frequency (N=270)
Percentage (%)
108
120
32
10
40.0
44.4
11.9
3.7
58
175
35
2
21.5
64.8
13.0
0.7
176
60
34
65.2
22.2
12.6
135
65
17
22
31
50
24.1
6.3
8.1
11.5
Source: Authors
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It is essentially an indication that farmers with more experience would likely adopt innovative ideas and
techniques that would enhance increase in agricultural productivity (Chambo, et al 2007). The result shows that
more than half (86.0%) of respondents joined co-operative organization some 5-9 years ago, while less than 20%
have over 10 years membership experience. This suggests that farmers’ cooperatives are still growing in the study
area and need all the support and mobilization from stakeholders to ensure farmers understand the benefits that
can accrue from group formation.
The result shows that a large proportion of the farmers (65.2%) have farm size below 2.5 hectares, while only
(12.6%) of the respondents have above 5.0 hectares. This suggests that most of the respondents are small scale to
medium scale farmers. This buttresses Evans and Meade (2006) assertion that the agricultural sector has been left
largely in the hands of poor and subsistence farmers. These are farmers whose average holding is about 1.0-3.0
hectares who cannot benefit from economies of scale hence resort to co-operative organization. The incomes
range of the farmers’ co-operators showed that (50.0%) of the farmers’ had income level less than N50, 000 naira,
while (24.1%) had income of about N50001-80000. In addition, 6.3 and (8.1%) had annual incomes of N80001 –
N110000 and N110001 – N140000 respectively. Only (11.5%) have #140001 naira income and above. The mean
income of the co-operators is N85, 121.05k. This is an indication that income earnings by the farmer cooperatives are still meagre for meaningful agricultural development. By classifying the managers of the cooperatives according to their level of experience measured by the number of years working in the cooperative
shows that while only (41.3%) have less than 5 years of experience, (53.8%) have 6-10 years’ experience.
However, (5.0%) of respondents has over 10 years’ experience. These results refer to the increasing level of
experience of the farmer co-operatives as they have sufficient period to acquire great experiences in the field of
the farmer co-operatives and to adopt innovation in the field of agriculture.
In the area of training, measured by the number of training courses attended (71.3%) of the executives did not
have any form of co-operative training courses since the beginning their leadership in co-operative till now, while
(28.8%) have attended training ranging from 1-5 as cooperative leaders.
6.2 Farmers’ Perception of the Co-operative Activities
The result of the farmers’ perception of their respective cooperatives was presented in Table 4. There was a
divergent opinion expressed by sampled co-operators. While about (45.79%) agreed that farmers are favourably
disposed to cooperatives, (26.32%) of co-operators disagreed. There is therefore the need to strengthen farmer cooperatives in the study area to enable them provide better services to their members. Also, (33.16%) of
respondents disagreed while (20.5%) agreed with the capacity of farmers co-operative to supply its activities to all
farmers in the village. This is understandable given that the major source of finance for co-operatives in the study
area comes from members share capital which in all is not able to procure the required productive inputs.
Similarly, (40.5%) of respondents disagreed that farmer co-operatives are able to transfer innovations for
agricultural development. However (11.1%) agreed to the statement. There is therefore the need for regular
training, workshops and symposiums for farmer co-operatives. Also, when the perception that co-operators
provide services for members and the household is analysed, (36.3%) and (6.84%) of respondents disagreed and
agreed respectively. Majority of respondents (39.4%) disagreed with the statement that farmer cooperatives can
solve agricultural problems of farmers in good time. This is not surprising, given the present socio-economic
status of these co-operatives, only (3.1%) agreed with the statement.
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Table 4: Perception of the Farmers’ Co-operatives
Perception
Farmers good relation
It supplies its services
to all farmers
It gives agric.
innovations
Cooperative activities
are for executive
members only
It solves agricultural
problems on time
It exists to help gain
access to loans and
subsidies only
Promotes rural
development
Strongly
Agree
Fre
%
11
5.79
-
Agree
Undecided
Disagree
%
45.79
20.53
Fre
15
53
%
7.89
27.89
Freq
50
63
%
26.32
33.16
Strongly
Disagree
Freq %
27
14.21
35
18.42
Fre
87
39
11
5.8
21
11.1
48
25.3
77
40.5
33
17.4
-
-
13
6.84
68
35.79
69
36.32
40
21.05
-
-
6
3.16
53
27.89
75
39.47
56
29.47
-
-
22
11.58
48
25.26
50
26.32
70
36.84
59
31.05
94
49.47
14
7.37
21
11.05
2
1.05
Source: Authors
Most respondents disagreed (26.3%) that farmer co-operatives exist only to assess cheap loans from government,
while (11.58%) agreed. However, results from the table also shows that majority of respondents (49.3) are of the
view that cooperatives exist to promote rural development, while only (11.0%) disagreed. Agricultural cooperatives play an important role in supporting small agricultural producers and marginalized groups such as
young people and women. They empower their members economically and socially and create sustainable rural
employment through business models that are resilient to economic and environmental shocks (Nweze,, 2003).
6.3 Analysis of Chi Square
The study examined the significance difference between the farmers’ socio-economic traits and agricultural
development and the results are presented in Table 4. It showed that the level of formal education have significant
relationship with participation in co-operative activities in the study area. This agrees with Osterberg and Nilson
(2009) that level of education play a significant role in the participation of members in cooperative activities as
well as influencing their benefits from such cooperative societies. The result showed a significant difference
between agricultural development and level of educational attainment with a P value (0.013), co-operative
experience (0.021) and family size (0.018) at 0.05 probability level.
Table 4: Analysis of Chi Square Result
Variable
Level of education
Farming experience (Yrs)
Cooperative experience
Age
Marital status
Family size
Farm land size (hectares)
X2 value
34.460
44.39
32.74
13.104
16.481
11.672
12.8666
DF
5
15
10
5
5
10
8
p value
0.013**
0.073
0.021**
0.253
0.134
0.018**
0.117
Source: Authors
** Significant at 5% level
However, marital status and farm size were found to have insignificant difference with agricultural development.
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7. Policy Recommendation
The cooperatives in the study area are operating as isolated entities and it calls for the presence of an apex body at
district and national levels to consolidate the co-operatives into larger forms thus, creating an enabling
environment for the co-operatives to benefit from economies of scale. There is need for enhancing members’
technical skills and regular training in co-operative business in order to help them gain a better understanding of
their statutory function. This will improve the quality of member’s participation and steer the co-operatives
toward success.
The development authority needs to provide necessary support for farmers’ co-operatives so as to meet the
challenges of boosting agricultural production. It could be ensuring farmers’ cooperatives to gain accessibility to
capital. The area council on its own part can contact research training institutes to provide technical and
cooperative training services according to co-operatives’ needs. Training is better delivered by the use of a
participatory approach with a focus on learning by doing. This kind of partnership will help demonstrate the
adoption of innovative ideas and techniques in farm operations.
Although the cooperatives are intended to be autonomous organizations, there is need to support them with
regulatory and administrative measures in order to ensure satisfactory service delivery to members in particular
and society at large. The control measures will ensure smooth running and safe-guard untimely collapse of the cooperative organizations. This will call for occasional check on the financial records and adequate monitoring of
the activities by the appropriate government agency.
In addition, concerted efforts should be made by the government to provide infrastructural facilities such as tarred
road, electricity and drinkable water to the rural areas so as to improve their economic well-being. This may
impact positively on agribusiness since the time lost due to none availability of these essential infrastructural
facilities in all the study sites can be channeled to productive use in farming which may also increase their
income, improve standard of living and further reduce level of poverty. Planning for agricultural development
should incorporate agricultural co-operatives and other community based organizations (CBOs) in order to
enhance sustainability of agricultural development. Indeed, farmers’ co-operatives should be given the desired
attention with a bid to make a remarkable achievement in the agricultural sector.
8. Conclusion
Attempts have been made in this study to assess the influence of the farmers’ cooperatives on agricultural
development in Kwali area council, federal capital territory (FCT) Abuja and it becomes obvious that they
influence agriculture to some certain extent in terms of employment generation and boosting the condition of
living of the members. It does become imperative to strengthen the existing cooperatives in order to be more
efficient in the discharge of their statutory roles.
The level of educational attainment is crucial to the performance of the farmers’ cooperatives. It means that
efforts should be made geared towards training and re-training of the members in order to possess the skill and
knowledge required for the organization to function properly. This could be achieved through the conduct of
seminars, workshops and conferences where members would be adequately represented and impart such skill on
other members.
It should be emphasized that if cooperatives are chosen as an intervention policy for agricultural development
there is need to set clear objectives for the economic empowerment of the people. There is need to create a policy
framework to spur growth in the enterprises as well as the rural economy as a whole through the creation of
employment opportunities and increment in the agricultural output. In essence this calls for both private and
public organizations as partners to create the environment where such agricultural development objectives could
be realized.
On the global scene, cooperative is a mechanism for achieving agricultural development and the future depends
largely on how they are formed and managed. The farmers’ cooperatives often lack the capabilities to offer
competitive services to the members in particular and society at large. The reason is attributable to the voluntary
nature of the potential members and any effort to obstruct such voluntary processes of self-help, selfadministration and self-direction may be inimical to genuine cooperative development and it could act as a
constraint (Kodama, 2007). Obviously, Nigeria has not followed the path many other countries have taken with
regard to farmers’ cooperative development and the role they ought to play in agricultural development.
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The concept of farmers’ cooperatives as a tool to address market failure leaves much to be desired in the area of
agricultural development. Interestingly, it offers a framework for small-holder famers to come together as a
formidable entity to gain collective bargaining power and by so doing, the groups can achieve considerable
benefits in terms of creating avenues for the marketing of their farm produce at home and abroad.
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